Marjorie Kirkpatrick

BENTON, Mo. -- Marjorie Kathryn Suter Kirkpatrick of Benton died Friday, Oct. 29, 2004, at Ratliff Care Center in Cape Girardeau.

She was born May 19, 1912, in Diehlstadt, Mo., daughter of Willis and Ida Sanders Suter. She was the eldest of seven children. She and Otto Francis Kirkpatrick were married Dec. 19, 1930, at Charleston, Mo. He preceded her in death Dec. 16, 1986.

She is survived by three children, Richard (Faye) Kirkpatrick of Charleston, Mary Kathryn Markey of Bartlett, Tenn., Frances (Ron) Anderssen of Leopold, Mo. She is also survived by a brother, Norman Suter of Mount Dora, Fla.; a sister, Jenny Suter of Leesburg, Fla.; nine grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and numerous loving nieces, nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, two brothers, two sisters, a son-in-law and a grandson.

Mrs. Kirkpatrick worked in various offices and for many volunteer organizations during her life. In Charleston at the University of Missouri Extension office, she was the soil lab tester. In Charleston and Benton she worked in the Farm Bureau office. She and her husband retired from farming in Scott City in 1975 and relocated to Benton.

Mrs. Kirkpatrick was a member of the Benton United Methodist Church and was president of the United Methodist Women's Club for 25 years. She was an active member of several organizations. Mrs. Kirkpatrick was vice president of Lusk Chapel Extension Club. She was a past secretary of the United Cerebral Palsy Board. Up until the age of 85, she served as a volunteer in the Sikeston Regional Care Center in the X-ray department.

Mrs. Kirkpatrick was instrumental in the establishment of the Kenny Rogers Children's Center in Sikeston, Mo. As a member of the original committee, she made numerous trips across the country with other members to work diligently for the establishment of this facility. Certainly neither she nor any of us could know that her own great-grandson would be able to use this facility. And if it were not for her hard work and contributions, quite possibly the facility might not be here today to help him and untold numbers of other children.

The funeral service was held at 11 a.m. Monday at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Benton. Interment was in Maynard Cemetery near Diehlstadt.

Those of us who have been fortunate to have her in our lives can only remember her presence and influence as one of the most precious blessings from God. She truly was a gift.

Memorial contributions may be made to Kenny Rogers Children's Center, 300 Floyd Ave., Sikeston, Mo., 63801-3960.